O retorno da esperança: Is 43.14-21

Abstract

This thesis is developed based on the following object of research: “Hope as a rereading of the ancient traditions in the perspective of recovering the faith in Jahveh in the prophecy of Deutero-Isaiah, with emphasis on Isaiah 43:14-21”. The following guiding question emerges from this object: “How, based on the raising up of ancient traditions, was the faith in Jahveh re-elaborated within the perspective of the return to the Promised Land in the prophecy of Deutero-Isaiah?”. To answer the proposed question the thesis is organized in three chapters. In the first chapter a panorama of the history of Mesopotamia and the main empires which originated there is presented highlighting the Neo-Babylonian period. The relations of the central power which was Babylon and the military and political influences which were exerted in the region of Palestine are observed. In the next moment, we deal more closely with the catastrophe of 597 b.C. , with the deportations to Babylon. The impacts in the religious field as well as in society are observed. The quest is to verify how prophecy was articulated in this period, which were their forms of expression and what was their importance for the formation of Jewish theology in the exilic period. A special emphasis will be given to the prophet Isaiah who was active during the Exile, and was called, because of the hypothesis from biblical research, Deutero-Isaiah. The results of the research on the authorship of this writing, the context in which this prophecy arose, the structure and the message of the prophet are presented. In the second chapter, the pericope of Is 43:14-21 is dealt with in an exegetical way. This text is characterized by the announcement of the “new”. The ancient traditions of the people are brought to the minds of the exiled with the goal of restoring the faith in Jahveh. The exegesis follows the common steps of the historical-critical method and seeks to be a support for understanding the theme of hope. Various materials are consulted such as dictionaries, biblical commentaries, introductions and theologies of the Old Testament. The exegesis presents the main results of the current research. In the third chapter, hope, as a fundamental theme in Deutero-Isaiah, is worked on based on Walter Brueggemann’s comprehension. Hope arises when something oppressive is overcome. In the prophecy of Deutero-Isaiah important elements are found on the theme of hope. The forgiveness granted by Jahveh makes it possible for the past to not become determinant in the present. Deutero-Isaiah announces forgiveness and something new begins for the exiled. Utilizing poetic rhetoric, the prophet announces hope as a way of subversion and of overcoming the dominating empire. The discourse about hope does not fit into the scientific logic, therefore the need for being lyrical and spontaneous. This theme is relevant for the contexts in which the great empires determine reality, co-opting the possibility of a future. Hope emerges as a restorer and Jahveh as a true King. It is shown that the empires are temporary and that Jahveh is on the side of the marginalized and the oppressed. One can consider, based on Is 43:14-21, the relevance of the theme of hope for the journey of the people of God.